Auto flattening press

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles having a rectangular bed and a crushing head pivoted to swing downwardly and crush flat a vehicle positioned on the bed. The swinging movement is accomplished by a first long throw hydraulic ram, which moves the head through most of its arc, and a second shorter hydraulic ram which engages the head and adds its force to that of the first ram in urging the head downwardly through the final stages movement of the head so as to overcome the increased resistance to crushing encountered as the vehicle body is progressively flattened. Manually operable valving means is provided for effecting the sequential action of the rams.

United States Patent [191 Williams Mar. 12, 1974 AUTO FLATTENING PRESS22 Filed: .lune19,1972

21 Appl. No.: 264,050

{76] Inventor:

5/1973 Flanagan 100/233 X Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wi|hite Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Schapp and Hatch [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus forflattening junked vehicles having a rectangular bed and a crushing headpivoted to swing downwardly and crush flat a vehicle positioned on thebed. The swinging movement is accomplished by a first long throwhydraulic ram, which moves the head through most of its arc, and asecond shorter hydraulic ram which engages the headand adds its force tothat of the first ram in urging the head downwardly through the finalstages movement of the head so as to overcome the increased resistanceto crushing encountered as the vehicle body is progressively flattened.Manually operable valving means is provided for effecting the sequentialaction of the rams.

I 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AUTO FLATTENING PRESS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to an AUTO FLATTENING PRESS and moreparticularly to apparatus for flattening junked vehicles in which thevehicles are crushed between a downwardly swinging crushing head and asupporting bed or anvil. I

In previous apparatus of this type, the head was often made very heavyand was allowed to fall and slam down against the vehicle being junked,crushing the vehicle by impact. Often, a number of successive impactswere required to flatten the vehicle by the desired amount. Theshattering impacts tended to create hazards by the explosive scatteringof shrapnel-like debris throughout adjacent areas.

It has been found that a slower pressing down of the flattening head ismuch less hazardous by virtually eliminating flying debris. Pressing thevehicle flat also requires considerably less time than the impact methodbecause of the elimination of repetitious strokes. However, certainproblems have been encountered in pressing the swinging head downwardlyagainst the vehicle, and the present invention was perfected to overcomethese problems.

To speed up the crushing action and make it more efficient, the crushinghead should move as rapidly as possible. However, the resistance todownward movement increases as the vehicle is crushed flatter andflatter, until nearing the end of the stroke the vehicle may be crushedto a height of 18 to 24 inches. In the final stages of flattening,resistance of the vehicle to crushing is greatly increased as thestructure is compacted and the heavier cast parts, such as the engineblock, are crushed. Accordingly, during the final stages of the crushinggreatly increased pressure may be required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is constructed to providemaximum speed of movement through the entire arc described by thecrushing head and, at the same time, to provide greatly increased andmore powerful crushing action as the head nears the end of its downwardstroke. This is accomplished with a hydraulic unit of minimum size byproviding rapid movement where there is less resistance, and by slowingdown the movement and increasing the pressure where increased resistanceis encountered.

It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to providean apparatus for flattening junked vehicles in which a flattening headis swung rapidly downward against the vehicle to be junked during theinitial stages of its movement and is swung more slowly and withincreased pressure during the final stages of its movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described in which the crushing head is unobstructed when thehead is in open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described in which a plurality of sequentially operablehydraulic cylinders or rams provide the desired movement of the crushinghead, with less than the entire number of cylinders providing theinitial movement and an increased number of cylinders providing thefinal movement.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus of the character set forth which is capable of operatingrapidly and efficiently in the manner described on an essentiallyconstant supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention isshown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus for flattening junked vehiclesconstructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with theapparatus being shown in open position to receive a vehicle to becrushed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG.- 2, butillustrating the apparatus in its closed position assumed during thefinal stages of flattening the vehicle; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scaletaken substantially on the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 1, but illustratingthe positioning of the parts just before entering the final stages ofcrushing of the vehicle.

While only the preferred embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated in the drawings, it will be apparent that othermodifications and forms of the invention may be made within the ambit ofthe claims herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings indetail, it will be seen that the apparatus for flatteningjunked vehiclesof the present invention basically comprises a generally flat bedstructure 1 l, a generally flat crushing head 12 mounted for a swingingmovement toward and from the bed 11, the bed 11 and crushing head 12being proportioned to receive a vehicle (not shown) therebetween and toflatten said vehicle as they move together, and sequential power means13 formed for swinging the head 12 toward the bed 11 with an initialforce, for preliminary crushing of the vehicle, and thereafter with anin- I creased force, for final crushing of the vehicle to a desired flatcondition.

In accordance with the present invention, the power means 13 preferablyincludes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, with less than the entirenumber of cylinders providing the initial force and an increased numberof cylinders providing the final, increased force. In order to providemaximum efficiency, the major portion of the movement of the crushinghead 12 toward the bed 11 is accomplished at a relatively rapid rate ofspeed with the described initial force, and the increased final force isapplied only during a relatively short distance as the head 12approaches the bed 11.

The described action makes it possible to utilize a constant speedhydraulic pump 14 as a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. Thepump 14 may be of smaller capacity than would otherwise be requiredbecause of the increased speed ofmovement of the head 12 obtained bypumping fluid only to a limited number of cylinders to accomplish themajor portion of the movement of the crushing head. When increasedpressure is required, because of increased resistance, the additionalcylinders are brought into play and in creased pressure is obtained atthe expense of speed. However, the resulting slowing down of themovement is comparitively negligible because of the relatively shortfinal distance through which the crushing head must move. I

As here shown, two hydraulic cylinders, or rams, are provided. The firstram 16 is of relatively long stroke and is pivotally mounted at the endof the bed 11 adjacent to the pivot means 17 which supports the head 12for the described swinging movement. Ram 16 has an operative connectionat 18 to the head 12 for urging the crushing surface 19 toward the bed11 on the extension stroke of ram 16.

The pivotal mounting of ram 16 preferably is intermediate its ends andis here provided by a bearing member 21 mounted on a post 22 connectedto the framework of bed 1 1. This mounting makes it possible to providea relatively long stroke of ram 16 in a relatively small area. Thestroke of ram 16 may best be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings, with head 12 being in fully raised position in FIG. 2 andin fully down position in FIG. 3.

In accordance with the present invention, a second hydraulic ram 23 ispivotally mounted at the end of the bed 11 remote from the pivot means17. Ram 23 is formed for operative engagement with the crushing head 12in a manner urging surface 19 toward the bed 11 on the extension strokeof such ram. The force exerted by ram 23 is thus added to the lesseningforce being exerted by ram 16 during the last portion of the downwardmovement of head 12, and the combined forces complete the flatteningaction.

As may best be seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the rear end of ram 23 ispivotally supported in bearing member 24 mounted on a frame 26 attachedto bed structure 11. Ram 23 is positioned outside the arcuate path ofmovement of the distal end 27 of the crushing head 12. Ram 23 is alsoabove the lower-most position of head 12 and is inclined in the mannershown so that the distal end of ram 23 can be extended to bear against ashoulder 28 formed on end 27 of head 12. In this way, extension of theram 23 serves to urge head 12 downwardly to the position illustrated inFIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the distal end of ram 23 is equippedwith a roller 29 adapted to be guided onto shoulder 28 by a cammingsurface 31 provided on head 12 adjacent to shoulder 28. When in itsretracted position, ram 23 is resiliently maintained in the positionillustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings as by a suitable spring 32. Assoon as shoulder 28 has passed downwardly past roller 29, ram 23 isextended. This cams roller 29 down surface 31 into contact with shoulder28, and thereafter further extension of ram 23 assists' in pushing head12 downwardly to its lowermost position.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 of the drawings, ram 16 is connectedto supply and discharge hoses 33 and 34, and ram 23 is likewiseconnected to supply and discharge hoses 36 and 37. The output ofhydraulic pump 14 is selectively communicated with the desired hoses 33,34, 36 and 37 by a control valve means 38, and is supplied from aconventional fluid reservoir 39.

In operation, with head 12 lifted to the position shown in FIG. 2 and avehicle positioned on bed 11, control valve means 38 is operated tosupply fluid under pressure from pump 14 through hose 33 to the rear endof ram 16, causing piston rod 41 to extrude from the cylinder. Thiscauses crushing head 12 to be swung about pivot means 17 downwardlyagainst the top of the vehicle, crushing the vehicle between head 12 andbed 11. When head 12 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 4 ofthedrawings, control valve means 38 is operated to supply hydraulicfluid under pressure through hose 37 to the rear end of ram 23. Thiscauses piston rod 42 to extend from the cylinder.

As piston rod 42 is extended, roller 29 engages and rides on cammingsurface 31 until it encounters shoulder 28. Continued extension of ram23 then adds its force to that being exertedby ram 16 increasing thedownward pressure on head 12 to overcome the increasing resistance beingencountered.

Once the crushing head 12 has been forced down to its desired lowermostposition, control valve means-38 is operated to vent hydraulic fluidfrom the rear ends of rams 16 and 23 through hoses 33 and 37respectively, and to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the frontends of rams 16 and 23 through hoses 34 and 36 respectively, causingthem to retract the piston rods 41 and 42. Retraction of piston rod 41swings the crushing head 12 upwardly back to the position shown in FIG.2, and retraction of piston rod 42 moves roller 29 out of the way andpermits the distal end 27 of crushing head 12 to swing upwardly alongits arcuate path. The flattened vehicle is then removed from bed 11,another vehicle is placed on the bed, and the cycle is repeated. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that the auto flattening press of thepresent invention provides a strong,

sturdy and efficient device for flattening junked vehicles in a rapid,safe and efficient manner easily accomplished by unskilled operators.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for prising a generally flat bed,

a generally flat crushing head mounted for swinging movement toward andaway from said bed and formed with a camming surface,

said bed and head being proportioned to receive a vehicle therebetweenand to flatten said vehicle as they move together,

and sequential power means formed for swinging said head toward said bedwith an initial force for preliminary crushing of said vehicle andthereafter with an increased force for final crushing of said vehicle toa desired flattened condition said sequential power means comprising atleast one hydraulic ram provided with a roller at the distal endthereof,

whereby said camming surface is engagable by said roller for providingthe increased force for final crushing of said vehicle to the desiredflattened condition.

2. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as described in claim 1and wherein said power means includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinderswith less than the entire number of said cylinders providing saidinitial force and an increased number of said cylinders providing saidincreased force.

flattening junked vehicles, com- 3-. An apparatus for flattening junkedvehicles as described in claim 2 and wherein the major portion of saidmovement of said crushing head toward said bed is accomplished with saidinitial force.

4. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as described in' claim 3and wherein said power means includes a constant speed hydraulic pumpcapable of effecting said movement of said crushing head toward said bedat a faster speed at said initial force than at said increased force.

5. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as described in claim 4and wherein said power means further includes control means formed forselectively operatively connecting said hydraulic pump to said hydrauliccylinders in a desired sequence.

6. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles, comsaid bed adjacent tosaid pivot means and having an operative connection to said head forurging said surface toward said bed on the extension stroke of saidfirst hydraulic ram,

a second hydraulic ram pivotally mounted at the end of said bed remotefrom said pivot means and formed with a roller at the distal end thereofto operatively engage said head at said camming surface 1 to guide saidroller on to said shoulder and urge said surface toward said bed on theextension stroke of said second hydraulic ram,

a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure,

and valve means operatively connected to said hydraulic cylinders andsaid source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and formed for selectivelysupplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said first ram for initialmovement of said head and to said first and second rams for finalmovement.

7. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as described in claim 6and wherein said first hydraulic ram is journaled intermediate its endsabove the plane of said bed.

8. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as described in claim 6and wherein theend of said head remote from said pivot means describesan arcuatepath as said head moves toward said bed, and said secondhydraulic ram is positioned outside said arcuate path

1. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles, comprising a generallyflat bed, a generally flat crushing head mounted for swinging movementtoward and away from said bed and formed with a camming surface, saidbed and head being proportioned to receive a vehicle therebetween and toflatten said vehicle as they move together, and sequential power meansformed for swinging said head toward said bed with an initial force forpreliminary crushing of said vehicle and thereafter with an increasedforce for final crushing of said vehicle to a desired flattenedcondition said sequential power means comprising at least one hydraulicram provided with a roller at the distal end thereof, whereby saidcamming surface is engagable by said roller for providing the increasedforce for final crushing of said vehicle to the desired flattenedcondition.
 2. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as describedin claim 1 and wherein said power means includes a plurality ofhydraulic cylinders with less than the entire number of said cylindersproviding said initial force and an increased number of said cylindersproviding said increased force.
 3. An apparatus for flattening junkedvehicles as described in claim 2 and wherein the major portion of saidmovement of said crushing head toward said bed is accomplished with saidinitial force.
 4. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles asdescribed in claim 3 and wherein said power means includes a constantspeed hydraulic pump capable of effecting said movement of said crushinghead toward said bed at a faster speed at said initial force than atsaid increased force.
 5. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles asdescribed in claim 4 and wherein said power means further includescontrol means formed for selectively operatively connecting saidhydraulic pump to said hydraulic cylinders in a desired sequence.
 6. Anapparatus for flattening junked vehicles, comprising a generallyrectangular flat substantially horizontal bed proportioned to support avehicle to be flattened, a crushing head having a generally flatrectangular surface complementary to said bed and formed with a cammingsurface having a shoulder formed thereon, pivot means operativelyconnecting an end of said crushing head to an end of said bed forswinging movement of said surface toward and away from said bed, a firsthydraulic ram pivotally mounted at the end of said bed adjacent to saidpivot means and having an operative connection to said head for urgingsaid surface toward said bed on the extension stroke of said firsthydraulic ram, a second hydraulic ram pivotally mounted at the end ofsaid bed remote from said pivot means and formed with a roller at thedistal end thereof to operatively engage said head at said cammingsurface to guide said roller on to said shoulder and urge said surfacetoward said bed on the extension stroke of said second hydraulic ram, asource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, and valve means operativelyconnected to said hydraulic cylinders and said source of hydraulic fluidunder pressure and formed for selectively supplying hydraulic fluidunder pressure to said first ram For initial movement of said head andto said first and second rams for final movement.
 7. An apparatus forflattening junked vehicles as described in claim 6 and wherein saidfirst hydraulic ram is journaled intermediate its ends above the planeof said bed.
 8. An apparatus for flattening junked vehicles as describedin claim 6 and wherein the end of said head remote from said pivot meansdescribes an arcuate path as said head moves toward said bed, and saidsecond hydraulic ram is positioned outside said arcuate path and abovesaid bed.